OIL KINGS TO DEPART FOR MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP

CALGARY, AB. – The Edmonton Oil Kings are heading to their first MasterCard Memorial Cup in modern franchise history and depart to the 2012 host city Shawinigan, Quebec Wednesday, May 16. The Oil Kings capture their first Western Hockey League Championship this past Sunday after defeating the Portland Winterhawks in a thrilling WHL Championship Series 4-3, to claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup. The Edmonton Oil Kings charter departs the Edmonton International Airport Wednesday morning at 10am (local) and arrives in Trois-Rivieres at 4:04pm (local), just a short drive away from the host City of Shawinigan.

They will hit the ice for their first practice on Thursday at the Gilles Bourassa Arena at 12:30pm ET, Head Coach Derek Laxdal will then take part in the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup Meet-the-Coaches media conference at 4:30pm ET and then the entire Edmonton Oil Kings team will attend the MasterCard Memorial Cup Opening Banquet at Espace Shawinigan.

The tournament officially begins on Friday with the WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings taking on the host Shawinigan Cataractes at 7:00pm ET. All games will be played at the Shawinigan Bionest Centre and can be seen LIVE on Sportsnet.

2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule (All times are Eastern):Round-Robin Game 1 – Edmonton vs. Shawinigan on Friday May 18, 2012 at 7:00 pmRound-Robin Game 2 – Saint John vs. London on Saturday May 19, 2012 at 7:00 pmRound-Robin Game 3 – Shawinigan vs. London on Sunday May 20, 2012 at 7:00 pmRound-Robin Game 4 – Saint John vs. Edmonton on Monday May 21, 2012 at 7:00 pmRound-Robin Game 5 – London vs. Edmonton on Tuesday May 22, 2012 at 7:00 pmRound-Robin Game 6 – Shawinigan vs. Saint John on Wednesday May 23, 2012 at 7:00 pmTie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 24, 2011 at 7:00 pmSemi-Final – Friday May 25, 2011 at 7:00 pmChampionship Final – Sunday May 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm

The 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup is proudly supported by MasterCard, title sponsor of this event for 14 straight years. Associate sponsors include Bank of Montreal, Subway, CCM, and broadcast partners Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. We believe in fully disclosing the methods to which we collect and use your personal information. We also invite you to ask us about our policies or feel free to let us know how we can better serve your privacy concerns.